Chapter 25: The ogre and Sophia.

"So, Sophia, answer me this, who were we planning on killing? Or is that a secret you want to keep?"

Sophia folded her arms, stepping into her sharpest smile, voice full of mockery. "We’ll get to that when your ogre self stops treating me like a punching bag."

Orion’s lips twitched in a reluctant grin. "Oh! I never knew you were a punching bag. Can you even handle my fists?"

Sophia narrowed her eyes, ready to fire back, but before she could utter a word, Orion cut in smoothly, voice dropping to a growl. "And just so you know, I’ll know if you’ve been lying."

"I don’t lie."

"Really? Remember the whole not hiding behind Brynhild act?"

Sophia went crimson but huffed loudly, plunging full force into defiance. "That was a slip of tongue."

"A slip? I recall it being intentional though." He said with a smirk.

"You don’t recall anything. Your brain is too tiny, remember?" She asked him.

"Oh, I never thought you’d see my brain. But then if it’s tiny, I wonder how yours is."

"Considerably bigger since I happen to be smarter than you."

Orion crossed his arms. "Keep telling yourself that, Sophia."

There was a pause, the kind that crackles with unsaid challenges. Then Orion tilted his head and asked casually, "So... how’s the house? Settling in just fine?"

For a heartbeat, Sophia’s gaze flicked to the floor, her mind running over the cozy quarters and soft light in the room Serena had prepared. Then she looked back up, fiery again. "The house," she spat the word as if it were a brandished weapon, "was supposed to be nowhere near your own. And yet here we are, next door neighbors. Care to explain why you decided to do the exact opposite of what I told you?"

Orion raised a brow, an infuriatingly smug glint in his eye. "Oh? I was unaware you were the one in charge of the pack’s real estate."

Sophia jabbed a finger at him. "Don’t you dare sass me about this. I told you to keep my place far from yours. I’m not about to spend my days yawning at your stupid face."

"Consider it a gift," he said dryly. "Nothing says ’welcome to the pack’ like having me, the alpha of the pack two stones’ throw away."

Sophia snorted. "Wow! Sometimes I wonder why I even bother to speak with you."

Orion smirked. "Maybe it’s because I’m interesting after all."

"You can’t really believe that right?" She asked him.

"I am interesting. You are just yet to peel down the layers." He told her.

"I don’t want to stay next to your home. I can’t cope with seeing your ass everyday."

"It’s a beautiful ass, you wouldn’t be disappointed." He replied to her.

They both locked eyes, a mutual dare laid bare and then she smirked, a sly flash of amusement beneath the irritation. "You really do enjoy messing with me, don’t you?"

Orion shrugged with a wolfish grin. "I prefer calling it ’strategic interference.’ Besides, it’s entertaining watching you squirm."

That pushed Sophia’s temper to the edge, but instead of the usual barbs, she bit back with a grin, becoming only when she was about to claim victory. "Well, enjoy it while it lasts. I have a terrible aim, but trust me one day, you’ll be the one begging for peace."

"Bold words," Orion mused, taking a half-step closer. "especially when you have terrible aim. How do you think you’d win the battle then?"

Sophia cursed quietly because she had walked right into that one but she wasn’t going to give up yet. "You’d know after I win."

He let out a low chuckle that rumbled in his chest. "Confidence. I like that. I might even start to worry."

"You should. Never underestimate your opponent."

"The same opponent that was almost killed by a skylur?" He asked her.

Sophia’s eyes widened. "That beast was huge. How the fuck was I supposed to know how to deal with him?"

Orion laughed at that. "Maybe for one, don’t get injured by it." He said nodding towards her injury that was covered with a plaster. "How is it?"

"Better. But...are you caring for your opponent right now?" She asked him.

"Nope. I’m keeping my enemies closer if at all. And besides, I want you to be in perfect shape when we start going after each other." He told her.

"Fuck you, Orion." She told him.

Orion laughed once more, a low chuckle that sent her heart beating extremely fast. The sound warmed her but she wasn’t going to focus on why or her. Right now, she only wanted him out of her room. She’ll meet with Serena later on changing her new home because she really couldn’t live next to Orion.

"I’ll get out of your hair now, rest your head a bit now, we don’t want you going mad from delusion after all." He said to her,

Sophia gave him the middle finger as he walked out of the room. He made his way to Sam immediately. She was fast and would be the perfect person to find out if Tobias was okay after all. It didn’t matter that Sam and Tobias had unsettled issues although yes, he was nosy but that wasn’t the main reason he sent her. It was because she was the better choice.

Orion found her with Holly at the training grounds. They were sparing together and while they were getting better he could still spot some issues with their footwork.

Holly was the first to notice him. She gave him a wide smile. Her blonde hair packed in a bun and and her brown eyes gazed at him lovingly but Orion was never going to give her the kind of affection she sought from him.

She approached him just as Orion began walking into the ring.

"What are you doing here?" She asked him brightly. "Are you going to finally take me up on my request?"

Orion shook his head. "You need more work before I can spar with you. Both of you do and I’m here for Sam."

It was obvious how hurt Holly was by that statement. She had been sure that Orion had come for her especially because of their relationship or what she thought was their relationship. It was obvious to everyone how attracted she was to him and she had decided to win his heart. She had thought it would be an easy job especially given the fact that they know each other and had been each other’s firsts but that wasn’t the case at all.

Sam approached Orion, her bluish Gray eyes focused on him and her brows together in a frown. Orion hardly sought her out so this was a rare occasion and she had to wonder what exactly could make him look for her.

"To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?" She asked him coolly.

Orion turned to Holly, there was no point in alerting her of the job he was about to give to Sam especially because Holly was a bit of a gossip just like the majority of the pack members. It would not be long before everyone knew that Sam was sent to get Tobias or rather, ensure he was safe.

"Care to walk with me?" Orion asked her.

Sam’s frown deepened but she didn’t say anything. She gave him a nod.

"We will continue this another time." She said to Holly whose suspicious gaze moved between the both of them, Orion and Sam specifically but she understood that perhaps this was something that Orion didn’t want her to hear or be privy to so she let it slide.

"Of course." She said to Sam with a smile that didn’t really seem genuine. "I’ll see you soon." She told Orion and without another word, she left.

"What is so secret that you didn’t want her to hear?" Sam asked Orion.

"Let’s begin that walk shall we?" Orion asked her.

Sam sighed but fell into pace next to Orion. They walked for a short distance and after ensuring that the nosy Holly who had been hanging around was no longer hanging around, he turned to Sam.

"I need you to go to Tobias." He told her.

Sam’s steps faltered. "What the hell? Is something wrong with him?" She asked worriedly.

Orion didn’t point at the fact that she was worried about someone she had insisted she wasn’t interested in but kept the information to himself.

"I want to ensure that he’s alright. That’s all." He told her.

"Oh!" She said relieved.

"If you don’t want to do this, I can send someone else." He told her.

"No," she shook her head. "It’s just to ensure if he’s okay right? I can do that. And besides I’m the fastest in the pack. What if there is actually something wrong after all? I’ll be the best person to scout the situation and come back as fast as possible."

"Sure. That’s exactly why I came to you. Will you be able to leave today?" He asked her.

"Of course." She said to him, "If that’s all, I’ll be on my way now."

"Of course. And...Sam?" He called out just before she could walk away.

"What is it?"

"Be safe too. Don’t give him a hard time." He told her.

She didn’t reply. She gave him a nod and walked away worry for Tobias enveloping her.